A US district judge in Washington has ruled that Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, did not violate antitrust laws through its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp over a decade ago. The decision, delivered by Judge James Boasberg, marks a significant setback for the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which had accused Meta of monopolizing the social media market by purchasing its competitors. The FTC filed the lawsuit in 2020, alleging that Meta’s acquisitions stifled competition. However, Judge Boasberg concluded that the FTC failed to prove Meta holds a monopoly in the relevant market, stating, “Meta faces fierce competition.” The court also noted that the FTC had previously approved Meta’s acquisitions of Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014. The FTC argued that Meta overpaid for these platforms, but the judge emphasized the dynamic nature of the social media landscape, where apps constantly evolve and compete. Meta celebrated the ruling, asserting that its products drive innovation and economic growth. The FTC expressed disappointment but has not yet decided whether to appeal. The case highlights the challenges of antitrust enforcement in the rapidly changing tech industry. Meanwhile, Meta continues to face legal scrutiny, including an upcoming trial addressing the impact of social media on young people, where CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram head Adam Mosseri are set to testify.
Judge rules Meta doesn’t have monopoly after Instagram, WhatsApp acquisitions
